Pancreas function, physiology, pathology and therapeutics
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A study of the pancreas function, physiology, pathology and therapeutics
IRAS ID
205945
Contact name
Kourosh Saeb-Parsy
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and University of Cambridge
Duration of Study in the UK
5 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
This study will utilise human pancreases that have been retrieved for transplantation, but subsequently deemed unsuitable for clinical transplantation and thus declined, and where explicit consent for use in research has already been obtained from the donor families in the eventuality that the organs are not suitable for clinical transplantation. Pancreases are accordingly allocated to one of several approved research programmes in the UK by NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT). Every pancreas allocated to research by NHSBT, therefore, is covered by direct generic consent from the donor family for use of retrieved tissue in all approved research projects if they are not suitable for transplantation. The pancreas is retrieved attached to the duodenum and the spleen.
The aim of the proposed project is to use this donated tissue to gain important insights in to the development, physiology, pathology and various therapeutics for the pancreas and related diseases. In this proposed project, the pancreas may be perfused with ABO group-matched blood on an ex vivo normothermic perfusion rig to study pancreas and duodenum physiology, as well as ischaemia reperfusion injury and therapeutic approaches for its amelioration. Histopathological examination and analysis of the pancreas will be used to determine suitability of the pancreas for transplantation as well as pathogenesis of diabetes. Biopsies from the pancreas will also be used for the development of stem cell-based therapies for the treatment of diabetes, such as pancreatic organoids. Single cell genomic analysis of the pancreas will be used to gain insights into the embryological development of the pancreas and the mutation burden in the normal organ which may predispose to development of cancers. Splenocytes and islets may be used to answer questions on the immune system, cellular therapies, and cryopreservation methods.
REC name
East of England - Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/EE/0227
Date of REC Opinion
31 May 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion